Leeds United are set to become regulars on Sky TV in the opening weeks of the season.

Their league opener against Southampton and Carling Cup tie against Bradford City were already in the schedules but Sky have now earmarked three more games for live coverage.

The trip to newly-relegated West Ham has been moved to Sunday, August 21 to accommodate the cameras, kicking off at 1.15pm. The clash with Brighton under former United coach Gus Poyet on September 23 will also be shown, as will the Yorkshire derby at Doncaster, which will now be played on Friday, August 14 with an 8pm kick off.

Meanwhile, the pre-season period – always a difficult time physically and psychologically for players – could be make or break for some of the Leeds squad, especially strikers Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack.

Manager Simon Grayson said: “Everybody comes back with a fresh start. It didn’t really happen for Ross and Billy last year because they picked up little niggles here and there that they never properly recovered from.

“The team did ever so well so they couldn’t dislodge the likes of Snodgrass, Somma, Becchio and Gradel, who were instrumental in most of the goals we scored. Even if Ross and Billy had been fully fit it might have been difficult for them to get into the team, but they have come back looking lean, fit and strong and will be looking to stake a claim.

“Ross ended the season well when he get the opportunity. Billy did okay as well in certain aspects of the game, so hopefully they will have an injury-free pre-season and will be working hard to get into the team for the Southampton game.”

Paynter has been linked with a move to Sheffield United as part of a deal that would see Leeds-born midfielder Nick Montgomery switch to Elland Road.

But Grayson said: “We looked at Montgomery a couple of times last year but he is a Sheffield United player. I have had no conversations with them about Billy Paynter going there.”